Machine for applying solder contacts



Sept. 19, 1950 R. G. REYNOLDSON MACHINE FOR APPLYING SOLDER CONTACTS 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 17, 1945 Q Q QM INVENTOR. gamma Eqyw/aiaa; M M a/MJM Se t. 19, 1950 R. G. REYNOLDSON 2,523,236

MACHINE FOR APPLYING SOLDER CONTACTS Filed Nov. 17, 1945 '4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Sept. 19, 1950 R. G. REYNOLDSON MACHINE FOR APPLYING SOLDER CONTACTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 17, 1945 INVENTOR.

w v a] I w% W M, M

Sept. 19, 1950 R. G. REYNOLDSON MACHINE FOR APPLYING SOLDER CONTACTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 17, 1945 Patented Sept. 19, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE-- MACHINE FOR APPLYI NG SOI JDER CONTACTS. 1

Roland G. Reynoldson, Madison, Wis. Application November'll, 1945, Serial No. 629.220

7 Claims. (01. 11359) My invention is concerned with improvements in machines for applying a spot of solder on a metal disk or other work piece.

In the manufacture of battery cells of a certain type a metal disk is required which forms the top closure of the cell. To provide a good electrical contact thereon a spot of solder is required to be deposited on the top central portion of the disk. Such disks usually have the central portion shaped to form a concave-convex section and the solder is placed on the concave surface thereof. In order to apply the required solder to the concave surface portion of a plurality of these disks, it is desirable to automatically arrange the disks with the concave surface uppermost, apply heat to the disks, spot each one with solder and allow them to cool. It is an object of my invention to provide an automatically operated mechanism to perform these operations efficiently and rapidly.

An object of my invention is to provide a mechanism for automatically arranging work pieces in predetermined relation, feeding them to a work station, applying a spot of solder to each work piece, and delivering the work pieces to a traveling belt.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mechanism of the character described in which the disks are initially fed by gravity and then which is shown by way of example in the accom panying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing one of my machines and parts of an adjacent machine in a group of the same arranged with a common delivery belt which is shown in part only;

Fig. 2 is a, view on line 22 of Fig. 1 showing the selector which supplies the disks to the feed chute;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 2 showing a cross section through the selector;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4--4 of Fig. 1 showing a cross section through the disk feeding chute and the heater mechanism, to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a View on line 55 of Fig. 1 showing the solder head and its operating mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the solder head, to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 7 is an elevation of they solder head lookinginthe direction ofline 'l'! of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a detail of the solder feed on line 88 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a detail section with parts broken away showing the floating dog and its pivot;

Fig. 10 is a view on line I0I0 of Fig. -5 showing the structure at the solder applying station; Fig. 11 is a planof the finished disk; and Fig. 12 isv a cross section'of the finished disk. The preferred formbf my mechanism comprises a selector-or unscrambling mechanism I0, a Work feed chute II], a solder applying head I2 and a cooling belt I3. As shown in Fig. 1 a series, or group, of my machines are arranged 'ona table M by means of uprights I5 and diagonal framing I6 ,1with a common delivery or coolin belt I3, the cooling belt I3 andthe adjacent machine in the group being shown in part only.

The selector mechanism I I] and its drive mechanism I! are mounted on the framing I6 which is attachedat I8 to the upright I5. The drive mechanism I! may be any conventional structure. and operated by any conventional source of power. ,Theselector mechanism I0 comprises a fixed cage I 9 which may be metal screen, or. the

like, and a rotatablebottom or base plate 20 which. is connected by the hub 2I to the drive mecha m'sm H. The bottom plate 20 is provided with spaced open-end, radial recesses, or slots, 22

which are of a width slightly greater than thediameter ofthe work pieces or disks 23. The work pieces or disks 23, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, comprise an outer rim 24 and a central portion 25 which is concave-convex in cross section. Each recess 22, in the rotatable plate 20, is of a depth sufficient to retain therein a disk 23, when the disk 23 is arranged with the concave side of the-central portion 25 thereof adjacent the bottomsurface of the recess, but not sufficient to retain a disk, when the convex side of the central portion 25 thereof is adjacent the bottom surface of the recess. The length of each recess 22 is somewhat greater than the diameter of a disk 23. an annular recess 26 which extends radially from theinner edge of the recesses 22 towards the centerof the plate 20 to accommodate an arcuate chute II. The guide member 21 is secured in;

position on the disk 20 by strap members 29 and The bottom plate-20 is provided with 3 30. A supply of the disks 23 is placed in the bottom of the selector I and the plate 20 is rotated by its drive mechanism H in a clockwise direction. The work pieces 23 which are arranged in the proper position, that is, with the concave face of the central portion 25 adjacent the inner face of the bottom plate 20, are picked up in the slots 22 and carried to the top of the selector I0 where they slide into the end 28 of the feed chute II and are carried by gravity down the chute towards the end 3| of the same. The guide member 21 retains the work pieces 23 in the slots 22 until they reach the open end 28 of thechute I.

Intermediate the ends 28 and 3| of the chute II the chute is twisted through 180. so that work pieces 23 entering the top end 28 with the concave side down arrive at the bottom end 3| thereof with the concave side uppermost. As shown in Fig. 4 the chute II comprises a bottom portion 32 andparallel channel forming side portions 33, 34, defining a channel 35 which receives the work pieces 23 andguides them. therein during their travel from oneend-28 to'the other'end 3| of the same.

Adjacent the-lower end .3I of the chute II a heating means is provided to heat the bottom 32 of the chute ,andthe work pieces-23 which are carried in the channel 35 at that point. The heating meanscomprisesa perforated gasburner 36 having perforations 3| from which flames 38 are 'directedagainst the bottom 320i the feed chute II. The 'burnersIi is connected--witha gas supply by the pipe 39 having conventional va1ve40. V

The lower end 3| of the feed chute :II;is attached to a table 4| by'means "ofhabracket 42. The table 4| supports the solder-head I2 andiits drive mechanism. I

The solder head I2 is supported on the table 4| by meansof anupright or post 4'3which is attachednto a base .plate'44. "The base plate 44 is adjustably supported on'the table v4| by means of a-pin 45 and a slot 46. The pin 45 has a'locking nut 41'controlledby a handle 48. .The solder head I2 comprises a hollow supporting stemn49 which is adiustably positioned .on .the post '43.

and secured thereto by a wing head threaded stud 50 which is:rotatable in the threadedaperture in the supporting stemJIB and engages, The stud 50 maybe .pr0-.

against the post 43. vided with a, conventional locking nut, if desired. Laterally extending brackets-52,53 and ".54 are rigidly secured to the stem '49 by brazing, or similar means of attachment and provide asupport for a solder receivingtube ,55 which is .arranged in parallel relation'withthe supporting stem 49 and receives a solder wire .orstick 56 the tip of which is shown at 51. 'The solder receiving tube 55 is made in two sections, the top section 58 being; permanently secured in brackets 52, 53 while the bottom or tipsection 59 is removably secured in'brackets 53, 54 by the set screw 60 in the bracket54. A reciprocable sliding frame 6| is provided whichcomprises an upper member 52 having a bore '63 in which the solder receiving tube 55 is slidingly received. The end of the upper member 62 adjacent the stem 49 is recessed at 64 and slidingly engages against the surface of the stem 49. The lower member 65 of the frame 6| has a'bore'IiIi for slidingly receiving'the solder tube 55 and is recessed at 6 1 for sliding engagement with the stem 49. The upper and lower-members 62,, 65 are connected by the verticalmembers 68 which slidingly engage on oppositesides of the bracket 4 52. The lower member 65 carries a movable dog 69 pivoted thereto at I0 in a recess II in the member 65. The dog 69 is urged toward the solder tube 55 by a spring 72. The solder tube 55 is cut away on one side at I3 so that the end of the dog 60 will engage with the solder stick 56 in the tube 55. The sliding frame 6| is urged into retracted position by the spring I4 which extends from a set screw I5 on the top member 62 ofthe frame 6| to a top bracket member I6 extending laterally from the supporting tube 49 and rigidly secured thereto at IT in any conventional manner. .-A floating dog '58 is supported in the'laterally extending fixed bracket 53 on a pin ":9 which is received in a slot in the recess 8I in the bracket 53. The end of the dog I8 is urged into engagement by the spring 82 with the solder 56 in the tube 55 which is cut away on the one side at 83 to expose the solder stick. Spring 04 engages the pivoted end of dog I3 and urges-it forwardly.

The sliding frame BI is reciprocated by means of an operating mechanism 85 cooperating with the spring I4 to feed the solder in the soldering operation. The operating mechanism 85 (Figs. 5 and '7) comprises an angular ,arm member 86 pivoted at'B'I to abracket 88 fixedly secured as by welding or the like at .89 to the supporting post'49. An extension 900i armtfi carriesan angular member 9| pivoted thereto .at 92 and having a rounded bossor projection 193 which engages the upper member 62 .of frame 6|. A spring;94:is attached toxa -pin.95 .on armtfiand to-upstanding arm '96 of angular member 9|. Adjustment of angular member 9! isprovided by wing jheaded stud .91 which is. threaded through the arm 90 and engages lateral arm .98 of memberySI. A locking nu't99 is providedon stud 91 to lock the stud 91 in adjusted position.

The driving means for the operating .mechanism-85is supported on .the table 4| (Fig. '5), which is mountedon the table. I4 .by legs I00, and extends transversely of the machine. A compressed .air motor |0| is mounted on .the table 4| by posts I02 and connected by supply 11mm; to a. source of compressed air. The .motor is of conventional construction and operates avibrating .arm I04 .which is. adjustably. connected to link I05 by a pin. and slot connection I06. Linjk I05 is'pivotally connected at I0; to shaft I08 which ,is slidablymounted .in bearings I09 .attached'to the table 4|. A sleeve section IIO securedtothe shaft I08 bya set screw III carries spaced projecting pins |I2 between which the lower end II3 of the arm is received. Vibration of arm I04 on the motor |0| reciprocates the. movable frame 6| by means of .the link I05, sliding shaft I03, and arm 83, cooperating with the spring I4, in an obvious manner.

The solder 56 is-fed downwardly inthe 55 in the followingvmanner: The sliding frame 6| is moved downwardly by the operating mechanism 85 and .the movable dog .65,-which is held in engagement with the solder stick 56 bymeans of spring I2, movesthe solder56 downwardly a predetermined amount. The solder tip 51 engages alheated disk and leaves adeposit ofsolder on the disk. The'sliding frame .BI i retracted by the spring. I4 and it tends to retract thesolder upward movement due to the pin- 'and-slot contube . nections 79, 80 between the dog and the bracket 53. The length of the slot 89 is such that it permits the solder stick to be retracted a limited distance, against the resistance of spring 84. The spring I2 operating against the dog 69 is sufiicient to overcome the resistance of the spring84 andretracts the solder the distance permitted by movement of pin I9 in the slot 80. Then springs 82, 84, operating against the dog I8, overcome the effect of the spring. I2, operating against the movable dog 69,v and prevent furtherretra'ction of the solder stick. The frame SI, however, retracts a further distance Without moving the solder stick, the-dog '69 merely sliding along the solder stick. In this manner,' the; movement of the frame 6| and the operation' of thefdogs 6 9 and I8 brings the solder sticlndownward apiedetermined distance and then retracts it a-lesser distance to compensate for the amount of solder which is deposited on a heated disk at each' operation of the mechanism.

The reciprocating shaft I08 (Fig. 5) also carries an ejector plate I I4 at the end thereof. The feed chute terminates at the lower end 3| in laterally extending portion I I5 (Fig. in which the guide channel H6 is a right angular extension or continuation of guide channel 35. An aperture III is provided in the wall of the feed chute aligned with the guide channel I IS in which the ejector plate I I 4 operates to feed the disks 23 laterally into the channel H6. The solder head I2 is adjusted with respect to the axis of the chute II so that it deposits a spot of solder II8 on a disk which has been moved a predetermined distanoe along the channel IIB by operation of the ejector slide H4. The slide H4 does not move a disk the full length of channel I I6 but only into position for receiving the solder IIB from the head I2 as indicated at I!!! in Fig. 10. The laterally extending chute portion I I 6 extends to a point beyond the solder applying position I I9 and the finished disks are delivered to the upper run of the cooling belt I3 by operation of the ejector plate H4. The arrangement is such that each disk 23 is moved by plate M4 to the position II9 where the solder I 58 is deposited on it by the operation Of the solder head I2 and then moved along by contact of the disks which follow it to the end of the chute IIE where it is ejected onto the belt I3. The purpose of offsetting the solder head I2 with respect to the axis of the feed chute II is to insure that there will be a disk beneath the solder head to receive the deposit of solder when there is a failure or an interruption of the feed of the disks to the end 3] of the chute II. Obviously, when a disk 23 is delivered by ejector plate M4 to the solder applying position H9 it will remain in that position beneath the solder head I2 until it is moved along the channel H6 by movement of a succeeding disk. If a succeeding disk is not delivered by the ejector plate II4 because of a failure in the supply the continued operation of the solder head I2 will not pile up solder in the channel but successive deposits will be received on a disk which can be later removed from the cooling belt I3 b the machine attendant.

The endless cooling belt I3 is mounted on pulleys I mounted in bearings IZI supported from the table I4 by frame I22. The belt I3 is guided in channels I23 supported above table I4 on standards I24. The upper run of the belt l3 passes adjacent the laterally extending chute portion I I6 and. the soldered disks are successively deposited thereon. The belt may be wide enough Y 6, to receive in 'ofiset lines the completed work pieces from a number of my soldering machines arranged on a single table or supporting structure I4.

The solder 56 may be fed to the machines in lengths or as illustrated from a roll I25 mounted on a supporting frame I26 above the soldering head I2.

I have disclosed my machine for use in applying a spot of solder to a battery top disk, but I do not intend to limit the use of my device to such work pieces since it will be apparent that it may be used to apply solder to other articles.

While I have described specific details of materials and constructions incorporated in the preferred formof my machine, it is contemplated that other materials and structures may be resorted to within the scope of my invention.

Ilclaim: 1. A soldering machine for depositing spots of solder on one side of disk-like objects which have a centerportion convex on one surface and concaveo'n the opposite surface comprising a selector mechanism for arranging the disks in the same predetermined relation, a solder head, a guideway beneath said solder head adapted to receive a plurality of said disks in a line, a heated gravity chute for delivering the successive disks from the selector mechanism to one end of said guideway, means for intermittently ejecting successive disks from the end of the chute into said guideway, said ejecting means having a limited movement whereby upon failure of said chute to deliver disks thereto movement of the line of disks in said guideway is interrupted, intermittently operated means on the solder head for depositing a spot of solder on each successive disk as it rests momentarily beneath the solder head, means operating the'ejecting means and the solder depositing means in proper sequence.

2. In a solder applying machine having means to successively deliver work pieces to a predetermined position for the application of solder thereto, a solder head comprising a supporting post, laterally extending spaced brackets, a solder guiding tube having cut-away portions mounted parallel to said post on certain of said brackets, a solder gripping means on another of said bracketsengaging solder in said tube at one of said cut-away tube portions, a reciprocating frame mounted on the post to reciprocate parallel thereto, a solder gripping means on said frame engaging the solder in said tube at another of said cut-away tube portions, means for reciproeating said frame to intermittently feed the solder in the tube.

3. Mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein said gripping means on said bracket comprises a spring-pressed dog.

4. Mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein said gripping means on said bracket comprises a spring-pressed dog having a floating pivotal connection with said bracket.

5. Mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein said gripping means on said bracket comprises a spring-pressed dog having a floating pivotal connection with said bracket, said pivotal connection permitting movement of the solder in one direction and limited movement of the solder in the other direction.

6. Mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein said gripping means on said bracket comprises a spring-pressed dog having a floating pivotal connection with said bracket, which comprises a pin on one of said members engaging in a slot in distance inone direction by the gripping means 3 on the reciprocating frame and a predetermined smaller distance in the reverse direction.

7. In a solder applying machine, .a. supporting post, a solder guiding tube mounted on said post and having spaced apertures in a wall thereof, a movable frame mounted adjacent said post, means for reciprocating said frame lengthwise of said tube, a pivotally mounted dog on said 'frame spring-pressed into engagement with the solder in said tube through one of said apertures, a floating dog mounted adjacent another of said apertures spring-pressed into engagement'with the solder in said tube and having alimited retractive movement whereby movement of there ciprocating frame in one direction will move the solder a predetermined amount whilemovement inrthe other direction will retract the solder a predetermined lesser amount. 1

ROLAND G. REYNOLDSON.

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 845,415 Hicks Feb. 26, 1907 961,743 Ayars June 14, 1910 1,049,227 Guenther Dec. 31, 1912 1,053,634 Nagy Feb. 18, 1913 1,195,054 McLeod Aug. 15, 1916' 1,439,807 Ericson 1 Dec. 26,1922 1,469,557 Goebel Oct. 2, 1923 1,652,032 Lynch Dec. 6, 1927 1,660,549 Davis Feb. 28, .1928 1,676,615 Loesel- July 10, 1928 1,748,938 Austin Mar. 4, 1930 1,749,719 Reiter Mar. 4, 1930 2,296,158 Gardner Sept. 15,1942 2,357,683

Nelson .Sept. 5, 1944 

